Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported that construction has reached 80% completion on the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel, a project spanning 1,650m from the end of Infinity Bridge ramp in Deira to the intersection with Al Wuheida Street.
The tunnel offers three lanes in each direction and is designed to accommodate up to 12,000 vehicles per hour.
The current phase addresses remaining structural work and the installation of supporting infrastructure, aiming for completion in the fourth quarter of this year.
RTA outlined that 14 teams are working continuously to support excavation with the construction of retaining walls using secant and sheet piling, depending on depth requirements.
In addition, four teams manage tunnel excavation, moving between 5,000m³ and 6,000m³ of soil daily, with forecasts indicating this will increase to 8,500m³ per day in the upcoming period.
The first phase of tunnel structure, measuring 890m, has been completed, constituting 65% of the structural build, while work on the second 760m phase is ongoing.
Activities such as tunnel wall cladding, road surfacing, the installation of lighting and traffic signalling, as well as infrastructure for rainwater drainage and irrigation, and utility adjustments are progressing concurrently.
Since project initiation, the workforce, which includes 1,591 engineers, workers and technicians, operating 221 pieces of machinery, has completed close to eight million work hours with no recorded lost-time injuries.
A release from the Dubai government’s media office states that these milestones have been achieved without compromising occupational safety and remain within the established project timetable.
Within the scope of Dubai Tunnels initiative, Al Khaleej Street Tunnel will feature artwork created by Emirati artist Maryam Hathboor.
The mural, designed in a banknote-inspired style using mosaic techniques, will depict the Dubai skyline, including the newly constructed Infinity Bridge. The tunnel’s artistic features aim to showcase local architectural themes and highlight key urban sights.
RTA previously concluded the Al Shindagha Corridor works in Bur Dubai. The authority is proceeding with a bridge project to facilitate access to Dubai Islands from Bur Dubai.
This bridge, stretching roughly 1,425m with four lanes in each direction and a capacity of roughly 16,000 vehicles per hour, will cross Dubai Creek between Infinity Bridge and the Port Rashid area.
The bridge structure provides an 18.5m clearance above the water level with a 75m wide navigational channel.
Plans include a dedicated pedestrian and cycling track, equipped with two lifts, and related roadworks extending about 2,000m to integrate the new connection with existing transport infrastructure.
RTA board of executive directors chairman director general Mattar Al Tayer said: “The construction of Al Khaleej Street Tunnel forms part of Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, one of the largest projects currently being undertaken by RTA.
“The project is estimated to serve one million people and reduce journey time from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030.”
